ISLE OF PALMS, S.C. (WCSC) – The Isle of Palms Police Department is enhancing mental health and wellness for its officers.
A $90,036 grant will be used to tackle three different projects to benefit officers but also their families.
A wellness app will soon be available to all employees and family members to address all aspects of first responder wellness.
Part of the money is for a partnership with Columbia College to certify this department as the first trauma-informed law enforcement agency in the state. The partnership will entail special training in things like the long-term impact of trauma and addressing the ramifications of trauma on an officer’s performance.
“Our officers are exposed to all kinds of trauma; they never know what kind of calls they are gonna go on,” Sergeant Matthew Storen said. ”Our hope with this grant is to better equip them to deal with that trauma and stress.”
The third project area will be aimed at hosting a symposium for all officers in the state to equip them with better tools and methods to deal with trauma.
“The ultimate goal with this grant is to make our officers healthier and more connected to our community that we serve,” Storen said.
Director of Clinical Operations at Live Oak Mental Health and Wellness, Matt Dorman, said he fully supports this initiative.
“Some studies show as many as 30% of those who work in law enforcement will have a diagnosable mental health condition or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder during their career,” Dorman said.
The licensed professional counselor said any effort leaders can invest in is a benefit not only to officers but to their families and the community as well.
The Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Act grant is completely federally funded through the Office of Community Oriented Police Services and will run until September of 2026.
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$90,000 grant to enhance IOP police officer mental health
